Romance Glossary

Cowboy HeroJust for fun, I’ve created the historical romance glossary below, to encompass my favorite eras: Regency, Victoria England, Scottish Highlands, New World, Frontier and Old West. I’m slowly, but surely adding definitions. Please let me know of suggestions and/or corrections.

Almack’s - Exclusive assembly rooms in London where vouchers from a Patroness was required for entry. Although a rather shabby establishment, vouchers to Almack’s were sought after by ambitious mommas.

abigail - A lady’s maid.

assembly rooms - Halls where social events, such as dances, are held.

banns - The verbal notice of a couple’s impending marriage, given on three consecutive Sundays in the bride and/or groom’s parish church. The marriage will proceed if no one objected to their union during the readings.

barrister - An attorney who argues cases in a Court.

barouche - A four wheel carriage with a folding hood and two seats facing each other inside.

bluestocking - A lady interested in scholarly pursuits (books, art, mathematics, women’s rights, etc.).

blunt - Money.

bumblebroth - A tangled situation. See also scandalbroth.

Cabriolet - A light two wheeled carriage drawn by one horse.

cap (as in “setting one’s cap for”) - A lady’s attempt to catch a husband by putting on her most becoming cap (attitude) to attract his attention and admiration.

chit - A forward girl; saucy.

come out -

Corinthian - A man’s man, physically fit and active. He boxes, he hunts, he rides and sets the standard for young bucks. Absolute opposite of a dandy.

cotillion -

country dance -

cravat -

curate -

curricle -

cut direct -

dandy -

dun territory -

faradiddle -

fichu -

footpads -

four-in-hand club -

foxed -

fustian -

gig -

green girl -

groom - servant who handles the care and upkeep of the horses.

gudgeon -

hackney -

harridan -

high in the instep -

leg-shackled - Slang term referring to marriage; often used by young bucks opposed to (or having high doubts of) the state of matrimony.

little season -

man of business -

marriage mart -

modiste -

nabob -

nonesuch -

on dit -

parson’s mousetrap -

pelisse -

phaeton -

pockets to let -

post chaise -

quality -

quadrille -

quizzing glass -

rake -

Ratafia - A sweet cordial flavored with fruit kernels or almonds served at Almacks.

restoratives - A “cordial” (aromatic drink or liqueur) meant to revive a faint lady or calm an agitated person.

reticule - A lady’s handbag, usually having a drawstring closure.

sixes and sevens -

special license -

spencer -

solicitor -

Tattersall’s -

toad eater -

ton -

town bronze -

Vauxhall Gardens -

vouchers - Coveted invitations for admittance to exclusives rooms, such as Almacks, for socializing with the crème de la crème of society.

vowels - Promissory note issued, usually for payment of a gambling debt.

waltz -

Weston -

whist -

young buck -

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